Digital Commons Network^™

Using A Novel, Multi-Method Approach To Evaluate The Quality Of Self-Report Survey Data In Organizational Readiness Research, Derek W Craig, Jocelyn Hunyadi, Timothy J Walker, Lauren Workman, Maria Mcclam, Andrea Lamont, Joe R Padilla, Pamela Diamond, Abraham Wandersman, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Self-report measures are essential in implementation science since many phenomena are difficult to assess directly. Nevertheless, cognitively demanding surveys increase the prevalence of careless and inattentive responses. Assessing response quality is critical to improving data validity, yet recommendations for determining response quality vary. To address this, we aimed to 1) apply a multi-method approach to assess the quality of self-report survey data in a study aimed to validate a measure of organizational readiness, 2) compare readiness scores among responses categorized as high- and low-quality, and 3) examine individual characteristics associated with low-quality responses.

Methods: We surveyed federally qualified health …

The Influence Of Compensation From Wages And Benefits On Healthcare Workers' Performance In Healthcare Services, Jiddan Azizan Hakim, Ghania Danisha Maharani, Riswandy Wasir, Alif Indah Melani, Cahya Arbitera

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

This study aims to evaluate the influence of compensation, including wages, incentives, and benefits, on the performance of health workers in primary health centers and hospitals. A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed, focusing on articles published in the last 5–10 years. From an initial search yielding 1,021 articles, nine were selected based on inclusion criteria. The results show that direct compensation (salary) and indirect compensation (benefits) have a positive impact on health worker performance. However, the effect of incentives varies depending on implementation. Motivation and job satisfaction were mediating factors that strengthened the relationship between compensation …

Exposure To And Impact Of Unhealthy Food Marketing On Adolescents And Young Adults: A Narrative Review And Research Agenda, Nicholas Freudenberg, Rositsa Ilieva

Publications and Research

Consumption of unhealthy food has become a leading cause of premature deaths and preventable illnesses around the world. Research shows that marketing by the companies that produce, distribute, and sell unhealthy foods and beverages is associated with increased consumption of these products. To date, however, limited research has focused on the cumulative exposure and impact of various modes of marketing employed to reach distinct populations. In this narrative review, we summarize 25 years of scientific evidence and findings from 108 empirical studies and 19 systematic and scoping reviews of various forms of unhealthy food marketing to adolescents (aged 13 to …

Post-Recovery Viral Shedding Shapes Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Inferences, Tin Phan, Samantha Brozak, Bruce Pell, Stanca M Ciupe, Ruian Ke, Ruy M Ribeiro, Anna Gitter, Kristina D Mena, Alan S Perelson, Yang Kuang, Fuqing Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The prolonged viral shedding from the gastrointestinal tract is well documented for numerous pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of prolonged viral shedding on epidemiological inferences using wastewater data is not yet fully understood.

Methods: To gain a better understanding of this phenomenon at the population level, we extended a wastewater-based modeling framework that integrates viral shedding dynamics, viral load data in wastewater, case report data, and an epidemic model.

Results: Our results indicate that as an outbreak progresses, the viral load from recovered individuals gradually becomes predominant, surpassing that from the infectious population. This phenomenon leads to a …

The Perk/Atf4 Pathway Is Required For Metabolic Reprogramming And Progressive Lung Fibrosis, Jyotsana Pandey, Jennifer L Larson-Casey, Mallikarjun H Patil, Chao He, Nisarat Pinthong, A Brent Carter

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Asbestosis is a prototypical type of fibrosis that is progressive and does not resolve. ER stress is increased in multiple cell types that contribute to fibrosis; however, the mechanism(s) by which ER stress in lung macrophages contributes to fibrosis is poorly understood. Here, we show that ER stress resulted in protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK; Eif2ak3) activation in humans with asbestosis. Similar results were seen in asbestos-injured mice. Mice harboring a conditional deletion of Eif2ak3 were protected from fibrosis. Lung macrophages from asbestosis individuals had evidence of metabolic reprogramming to fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Eif2ak3fl/fl mice had increased oxygen …

It Is Not Clear How Well Physical Activity Promotion Materials Are Understood: Findings From A Rapid Literature Review, Jafra D. Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong, Regina F. Hockert, Yi Sheng Wu, Winston Kennedy

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 6, 2025. Efforts to promote physical activity and other health-related behaviors are more effective when resource materials are understood by a wide and diverse audience. Before our lab’s previous investigations (Thomas et al., 2024), only one study seemed to use the cloze procedure to directly test the comprehension (i.e., readability) of physical activity promotion material (Cardinal & Seidler, 1995). Thus, this rapid literature review sought to (a) determine the extent the cloze procedure has been used to study physical activity promotion material comprehension in lay adults and (b) collate …

Exposure To Second-Hand Smoke In Homes And Respiratory Symptoms Among Non-Smoking Adults In Depok, Indonesia 2025, Faraz Ali, Budi Hartono

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in the home environment has become a public health emergency, especially in countries with very high smoking rates, such as Indonesia. SHS exposure has already presented evidence of symptoms of the respiratory category, like a cough and shortness of breath. This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to SHS at home and the presence of respiratory symptoms among non-smoking adults in Depok, Indonesia. Convenience sampling was adopted for enrolling 108 non-smoking adults aged 18-30 who were jointly exposed to SHS in their homes for a cross-sectional study. Data aggregations of gatherings were performed using …

A Multi-Level Gene-Diet Interaction Analysis Of Fish Oil And 14 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Traits Identifies The Fads And Gpr12 Loci, Susan Adanna Ihejirika, Alexandra Huong Chiang, Aryaman Singh, Eunice Stephen, Han Chen, Kaixiong Ye

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Fish oil supplements (FOS) are known to alter circulating levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) but in a heterogeneous manner across individuals. These varied responses may result from unidentified gene-FOS interactions. To identify genetic factors that interact with FOS to alter the circulating levels of PUFAs, we performed a multi-level genome-wide interaction study (GWIS) of FOS on 14 plasma measurements in 200,060 unrelated European-ancestry individuals from the UK Biobank. From our single-variant tests, we identified genome-wide significant interacting SNPs (p < 5 × 10-8) in the FADS1-FADS2 gene cluster for total omega-3, omega-3%, docosapentaenoic acid (DHA), DHA%, and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Among the interaction signals for omega-3%, the lead SNP, rs35473591 (C>CT, CT allele frequency = 0.34), had a lower association effect size in the FOS-taking group (β = 0.35 for …

A Review Of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine-Gynx In Folate Receptor Alpha-Expressing Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer, Judith A Smith, Patrick Medina, Mary Miao, Kathleen N Moore

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: To evaluate the pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and dosing and administration considerations (including adjusted ideal body weight [AIBW] dosing) for mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx, a first-in-class folate receptor alpha (FRα)-directed antibody-drug conjugate for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

Summary: A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the terms "ovarian cancer" and "mirvetuximab soravtansine" of articles published from inception to April 16, 2024. Relevant publications, abstracts, and clinical trials were reviewed. Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx is dosed at 6 mg/kg AIBW every 3 weeks and comprises an FRα-binding antibody, a hydrophilic disulfide linker, and a maytansinoid DM4 payload. Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx binds to FRα, which induces …

The Association Between Neighborhood Environment, Social Relations, And The Prevalence Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Negin Iranfar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Stress and socioeconomic influences on IBS have been studied, however few studies have explored the impact of neighborhood and social environments across racial and ethnic groups and sex at birth. The biopsychosocial framework was used to examine whether built environment and social context contribute to IBS prevalence. A cross-sectional analysis of 80,874 participants from the All of Us Research Program was conducted to assess the associations between IBS and six neighborhood and social factors: safety, structure, cohesion, supportive relationships, social relationships, and perceived …

Evaluation Of Knowledge, Attitudes And Vaccine Hesitancy Towards Mmr Vaccine Among Parents In The United Arab Emirates, Kamel A. Samara, Hiba Jawdat Barqawi, Deema M. Alhayali, Samah Mohamed Kannas, Rim M. Elmorsy, Eman Abu-Gharbieh

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, but vaccine hesitancy (VH) is a key barrier to achieving herd immunity. This study aims to assess the general attitudes and knowledge of UAE parents regarding measles and the MMR vaccine while identifying determinants of VH.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was done from 15th April 2024 and 5th June 2024. This study recruited 462 parents residing in the UAE using convenience sampling. Recruitment occurred through various social media platforms including WhatsApp, X, and Instagram, as well as in public by approaching parents in parks and malls. Information collected included …

Dietary Intake Of Protein By Food Source And Incident Hypertension Among Diverse Us Adults: The Mesa Study, Ji Yun Tark, Ruosha Li, Bing Yu, Alexis C Wood, Nikhil S Padhye, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dietary guidelines recommend adequate protein intake from diverse sources for optimal blood pressure; however, its role in hypertension risk remains unclear. We examined prospective associations of protein intake and diversity, overall and by source, with hypertension risk in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study.

Methods and results: Among 2294 participants aged 45 to 84 years without hypertension at baseline, total, animal, and plant protein intake was assessed using a 120-item food frequency questionnaire. Protein diversity was evaluated using count and the dissimilarity index. Over a 9-year median follow-up, 1356 hypertension cases were identified through blood pressure measurements and …

Adhd Diagnosis And Treatment Within Ethnic Minority Groups, Dianthe Hoang

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is commonly diagnosed in childhood, and the National Survey of Children’s Health reported that ADHD had a prevalence of around 6.1 million children aged 2-17 years old (NSCH, 2016). This review discusses the cultural and socioeconomic barriers that contribute to the underdiagnosis and treatment in members of ethnic minority communities. Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian adults received less mental health care compared to White Americans. Previous findings indicated that cultural factors, such as misinterpretation of symptoms from families and teachers and cultural perceptions of mental health, contributed to disparities …

The Impact Of Functional Disabilities On The Quality Of Life Of Older U.S. Adults, Bernadette Lavender

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Among older U.S. adults, functional disabilities are critical determinants of quality of life (QoL), influencing mobility, social engagement, and independence. Despite growing evidence of these impacts, limited research examines how healthcare access, social support, and socioeconomic factors moderate this relationship. This quantitative study explored the effects of functional disabilities on QoL, operationalized through self-reported health, while examining the moderating roles of key social determinants. Using a cross-sectional design, secondary data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were analyzed. The sample included 42,405 participants aged 60 years and above from all 50 states. Multiple regression analyses and ANOVA were employed …

Sociodemographic And Psychosocial Characteristics Of E-Cigarette Ever-Use: U.S. Hints 6 Survey, Lilianna Phan, Kuang-Yi Wen, Hee Jun Kim, Julie A. Barta, Hee-Soon Juon

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective

Methods

Results

Addressing Socioeconomic Disparities In The Treatment Of Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections: The Role Of Pharmacists In Mitigating Barriers, Arin Wade, Danielle Egbujor, Anna Spalvieri, Owen Fox, Marisa Petrunich, Joshua Honaker, Samantha Mccord, Kasie Landin

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and shaped by socioeconomic disparities. Social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, poverty, low health literacy, and environmental conditions, contribute to higher rates of resistant infections and poorer treatment outcomes in underserved populations. Barriers such as pharmacy deserts, self-medication, and inadequate stewardship infrastructure amplify these risks. Pharmacists, as accessible and highly trained healthcare professionals, play a critical role in combating antimicrobial resistance by optimizing antibiotic use, delivering culturally competent education, and leading antimicrobial stewardship programs across settings. Community and clinical pharmacists are especially well positioned to bridge …

Guidelines For The Creation And Implementation Of A School-Based Vision Program For The Greater Seattle Area, Suzanna P. Gill

Honors Projects

Proper vision care contributes to a child’s ability to perform academically as well as their overall health and wellbeing. Pediatric vision care begins with vision screening, which occurs in public schools in Washington state. These vision screenings allow for possible vision issues to be identified in children. They are not, however, a replacement for eye examinations that help determine what is causing the problem and provide treatment. A substantial proportion of children that are recommended to receive the exams will not, partially because Washington does not require parents to take their children to eye care professionals. These children are more …

E-Cigarette Or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: A Comprehensive Review, Mohammad Asim Amjad, Daniel Ocazionez Trujillo, Rosa M Estrada-Y-Martin, Sujith V Cherian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a critical and potentially fatal form of lung injury that gained considerable public health concern in 2019. The use of e-cigarettes and vaping products is causally associated with EVALI, a condition characterized by a constellation of respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. This comprehensive narrative literature review explores the complexities of EVALI, including its association with the structure and composition of e-cigarettes and its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and radiological manifestations, management strategies, and public health implications. Moreover, it uncovers the long-term repercussions of EVALI and underscores …

Shifting To A Culture Of Inclusion By Design: Applying A Mixed-Methods Approach To Advance Accessibility Of Public Health Emergency Information & Communication Technology, Jessica L. Franks, Erin Vinoski Thomas

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience inequities in access to timely, accurate, and understandable information and communication technology (ICT), which increases risk for public health emergency (PHE)-related health disparities and impedes opportunities to achieve optimal health. This study assessed federal COVID-19 webpage accessibility levels and explored existing knowledge of and experience with filing accessibility complaints for federal ICT among adults with IDD. Through a mixed-methods approach, we evaluated compliance with accessibility standards for 18 federal agencies’ COVID-19 webpages (study 1) and interviewed 16 adults with IDD about experiences accessing federal webpages and filing accessibility complaints (study 2). We …

Generative Ai For Thematic Analysis In A Maternal Health Study: Coding Semistructured Interviews Using Large Language Models, Shan Qiao, Xingyu Fang, Junbo Wang, Ran Zhang, Xiaoming Li, Yuhao Kang

Faculty Publications

Study Objectives: The coding of semistructured interview transcripts is a critical step for thematic analysis of qualitative data. However, the coding process is often labor-intensive and time-consuming. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) presents new opportunities to enhance the efficiency of qualitative coding. This study proposed a computational pipeline using GenAI to automatically extract themes from interview transcripts. Methods: Using transcripts from interviews conducted with maternity care providers in South Carolina, we leveraged ChatGPT for inductive coding to generate codes from interview transcripts without a predetermined coding scheme. Structured prompts were designed to instruct ChatGPT to generate and summarize …

Reaching Tomorrow’S Extension Customer: A Food And Health Needs Assessment, Morgan Szczepaniak, Sarah L. Francis, Ruth Litchfield, Ulrike Genschel, Shannon Coleman, Anirudh Naig

Journal of Extension

The food and health needs and preferences of Iowans (n=452) were examined. The leading food and health information sources were online platforms, social media, and print media. Program topics with high participation likelihood were cooking, food preservation, food safety, and gardening. Short, low-cost, online programs were preferred. Extension use was more likely among those who identified as persons of color, Hispanic/Latino, or were food insecure (p < 0.030). Those with less education and chronic disease were less likely to be interested in Extension programming (p < 0.040). These results provide valuable information regarding future directions for Extension programming.

Science Tikkun: A Bioscience Pandemic Framework In A Hebrew Tradition Of Global Repair, Peter Hotez

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Over the past decade we have seen a steady increase in dangerous pandemic threats. They include two major Ebola epidemics and cholera in Africa; dengue, Zika, yellow fever in the Americas; a COVID-19 pandemic; and H5N1 in Texas. This is happening because of a confluence of modern forces including urbanization, deforestation, and climate change. Yet as pandemics emerge on a crowded and warming planet, anti-science disinformation and antisemitism impede our response. Science tikkun is an overarching framework for repair and redress. It honors the legacy of Maimonides, Teilhard de Chardin, and others who have sought reconciliation between science and religion.

Centralising Local Aboriginal Language And Culture In Healthy Skin Books On The See Treat Prevent (Stop) Trial In The Kimberley Region Of Western Australia: A Process And Impact Inquiry, Tracy Mcrae, Kelli Mcintosh, Hannah Mm Thomas, Stephanie Enkel, Abbey Ford, John Jacky, Slade Sibosado, Marianne Mullane, Alexandra Whelan, Rebecca Dalton, Juli Coffin, Jonathan R. Carapetis, Roz Walker, Asha C Bowen

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Language is significant for communicating knowledge across cultures and generations and has the power to attribute meanings and alter our worldviews. More than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders languages were spoken in 1788. This number has diminished to approximately 110 languages spoken in 2016, of which 90% were considered endangered in 2019. Language custodians and speakers across Australia are working to preserve and ensure languages are strongly spoken into the future. Language revitalisation initiatives can facilitate (re)connection to Country, cultures and communities and be recognised as acts of reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In a health …

Observed And Reported Outcomes Following Experiential Cultural Capability And Clinical Yarning Training For Clinicians Treating Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People With Persistent Pain, Stuart Ekberg, Renata F. I Meuter, Ivan Lin, Roslyn Rowen, Angela Kinnell, Eva Malacova, Tania Waring, Kushla Houkamau, Marayah Taylor, Matthew Bryant, Jermaine Isua, Andrew Claus, Paul Gray, Joseph Kluver, Christina M. Bernardes, Greg Pratt

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Communication is recognised as crucial to culturally safe healthcare, and poor communication remains a major reason that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not access healthcare. This pragmatic, pre-post comparison study employed mixed methods to evaluate cultural capability and clinical yarning training delivered to 57 clinicians supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at three persistent pain management services in Queensland, Australia. Observable outcomes of the training were evaluated by video recording clinicians’ training experiences and seven consultations with patients that occurred either pre- or post-training. Reported outcomes were evaluated by using a modified Cultural Safety Survey (CSS), which …

Curricular Impact: Training Dpt Students To Look Upstream, Rebecca Operacz, Pt, Dpt, Edd

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background and Problem

• Healthcare literature highlights extensive health inequities and continued mistrust of the healthcare system among historically marginalized communities.
• Accrediting bodies advocate for inclusion of SSDH in training to prepare practitioners to address health inequities.
• Limited guidance exists regarding implementation of SSDH content or expectations for student clinicians.
• Effectiveness of education is typically measured by metrics with little connection to patients and populations (GPA, graduation rates, licensing exams).

Enhancing Intimate Partner Violence Screening: Implementing Standardized Ehr Protocols And Staff Education In A Community Health Center Serving The Latinx Community, Gabriela Alejandra Davila Barajas

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a public health issue that disproportionately impacts Latinx populations, who often face barriers such as cultural stigma, language barriers, fear of legal consequences, and limited access to culturally competent care. Community Health Centers (CHCs) are well-positioned to identify and address IPV. This project aims to increase IPV screening rates in a CHC serving a predominantly Latinx population by implementing standardized EHR protocols and culturally responsive staff education. The project’s goal is to raise IPV screening rates to 25% by April 15, 2025. The intervention includes two key components: integrating the Hurt, Insulted, Threatened, and Screamed …

Improving Healthcare Access Among Hunter College Students – Suggestions For A Hunter College Student Health Center, Jacob Villorente

Publications and Research

This study investigates disparities in healthcare access among students at CUNY Hunter College, an urban public university in Manhattan serving over 22,000 students. 89% of Hunter students receive financial aid, with 67% of students receiving Pell grants. Hunter College only offers limited health services, primarily short-term mental health counseling and wellness workshops. A cross-sectional survey (n = 33) assessed insurance status, coverage (dental, vision, psychiatric), access barriers (e.g., transportation), mental health symptoms, and impacts to academia. While 69.7% of respondents reported comprehensive insurance, students with public insurance (Medicaid, Medicare) experienced substantially higher access barriers than those with employer-sponsored plans and …

Community Health Workers’ Lived Experience Of Using Videoconferencing With Community Members, Valdora Lejune Avery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community health workers in the United States faced significant challenges in conducting in-person community practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, which adversely affected their communication, training, and service delivery outcomes. Videoconferencing enabled workers to connect with underserved populations for individual and community crisis response. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of community health workers in the Rural Community Health Worker Network (RCHWN) regarding the use of videoconferencing among community members in practice and how members in RCHWN perceive the availability of videoconferencing devices to communicate in the community. Transcendental phenomenology provided the conceptual framework and research …

Detection And Quantification Of Total Airborne Fungi And Coccidioides Species In Environmental Samples, Theresa T. Roehr

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fungal exposure can cause acute and chronic illnesses or exacerbate existing illnesses. Some fungi are opportunistic pathogens and can lead to serious systemic fungal infections. In 2020, more than 150 million cases of severe fungal infections were reported globally resulting in an estimated 1.7 million deaths. Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, is classified as a serious fungal infection caused by the fungi Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii. These particular fungi are prevalent in the soil of the Southwestern United States, including Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2024, there were a total of 269 cases of Valley fever reported in Nevada, and …

Qualitative Analysis Of Clinical And Community Perinatal Providers’ Perceived Barriers To Equitable Care For Food Insecurity In Underserved Communities In Southern Nevada, Kaelia Lynn KeapomekuʻUaloha Saniatan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Food insecurity is prevalent among underserved communities and contributes to increasing maternal-child health disparities. The perinatal period from pregnancy through one year postpartum provides a critical window of opportunity to identify and address food insecurity (FI). However, barriers such as inadequate staffing, lack of institutional and community resources have prevented perinatal providers from offering equitable care for FI, defined as providing screening, referrals, and follow-up services. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) is a framework that observes concepts at multiple levels, including (i) individual, (ii) interpersonal, (iii) institutional, (iv) community, and (v) policy. The objective of this study is to understand …